Lancaster Chamber: Transportation expense worthwhile

By Jim T. Ryan,
April 16, 2013 at 10:00 AM
- Last modified: April 16, 2013 at 10:33 AM

The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry outlined what it sees as priorities for transportation funding in Lancaster County in a position paper Monday that said the added costs would be a worthwhile economic investment.

The Lancaster Chamber, the county planning commission and other stakeholders developed the list of projects that could be forwarded in the county with additional state funding. The chamber pledged to work toward passage of legislation that would provide additional funding for transportation.

The Lancaster County priority list included:

• About $28 million for five nonbridge or resurfacing projects, such as the Route 30 and Centerville Road interchange, estimated to cost more than $20 million, as well as intersection and management improvements to routes 23, 462 and 501.

• A $10 million safety and capacity improvement project to Route 30.

• $1 million additional per year for operational and capital transit funding.

• More money for nontraditional projects, such as advancement of bike and pedestrian trail studies.

"The chamber supports the recommendations outlined above, recognizing that while a funding package will result in some additional expense to businesses and consumers, an investment in a multi-modal transportation package is a sound investment for the future of the state's economy," the chamber wrote in its position paper.